The City of Light

This final portion of my India journey is really beyond words. I had to let go of swimming in the Arabian Sea, receiving my daily Ayurvedic beauty ritual, and walking barefoot back to my beach hut in the sand while bracing myself for the transition to dung filled, over crowded city streets, poverty and my fear of the wild unknown. 

"Secret Temple" Varanasi

The best way I can describe the experience is an enriched, and humbling coarse of contradictions where my limiting belief system was expanded through the profound kindness of others, leading me to a new perspective of my Self and the world as I knew it. These last few days of my trip revealed a path that led me to the epicenter of my heart. This is a place were all possibility exist. Where "Oneness" and a "Universal Love" or "Timeless" and vast oceans of "Consciousness" live. I would have never found this space if you handed me a map.  I had described this in the previous blog as an "unfolding" or peeling of an onion layer by layer. Little did I know when leaving the South that I had not even got to my juicy, molten, sweet core yet. 

“You know the truth by the way it feels.”

— Unknown

Varansai, also known as Banares, Kashi, or "The City of Light" is a historical city in Northern India and one of the continuously inhabited cities of the world dating back to the 11th century BC. Many Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi brings their soul to nirvana and so they make the trip to the city when they realize that they are close to death. The scene of pilgrims doing their devotions in the River Ganga at sunrise set against the backdrop of the centuries old temples is probably one of the most impressive sights in the world. Even my ayurvedic therapist, Revathi, was taken by the fact that I was headed to Varanasi. She begged that I say a prayer for her and her love while I was there and I made a pledge to her that I would. 

I had nearly 24 hours in Varanasi and this day was one of the best days of my life. That is the first "contradiction" that I experienced. I went from the contrast as described above from easy going beach life in the south to trying to prepare myself for the culture shock of the burning corpses in view and the feces overflowing from the Ganges in Varanasi. I didn't think I was going to enjoy myself, but I was so wrong. 

My day started even before sunrise w/ not only the lovely group of ladies and our experienced group guide James (who had been to India 14 times); but also our sweet travel coordinators Ritu and Kuldeep Singh of Delhi who went above and beyond. (Their site is http://www.reliablevacation.com and they were so rad!) They hired a private local guide, DJ, to give us the real experience of Varanasi. I highly recommend even for the experienced travelers to allow some local expertise to help you make the most of your time here by showing you "the way". The group was prepped before dawn of what to expect of our busy day which would begin w/ a sunrise ceremony by boat on the Ganges and end w/ a sunset ceremony by rickshaw and a super secret back alley tour to explore the real raw daily life experience of the people of this ancient city. 

We were off, walking through the city streets to catch a boat to watch the Sun rise while floating down the Ganges. There was SO much to take in on this short walk! There was the most amazing architecture and city scape to sacred ritual bathing in the river. It was a challenge to take in all of the beauty while to trying not to fall down a man hole, get pocket picked by a gypsy or step in a massive pile of cow dung. I was really struck by the mobs of unfortunate souls trying to make their living selling beads or begging. They had clutched on to me for dear life and I wanted to help but I was also trying to keep up w/ the group while taking in all the sights and also not slipping in feces. It was so much sensory at once! Reaching the boat became more important to me than ever as I was so overwhelmed! Here are the visuals I captured right before stepping on the boat then floating away. 

This sunrise here was the most peaceful and beautiful as I set my pooja intention w/ the symbol of a lit candle to set float down the water and let go of what no longer serves me. I let go of family trauma from generations past. I let go of pain stored in the cells of my body. I released blocks in my relations w/ my daughter and of my higher Self including a breakdown of ego, victimhood, and doubt. Shiva being the Hindu god known as the destroyer I was in an auspicious place to seek this release considering Varanasi is the city of Shiva and his worshipers. Feeling so peaceful we docked and were on our way to explore the back streets of the city. The pan handlers and bead sellers were so aggressive though. They were just waiting to devour us on the shore. I tried to shake off several of them after becoming annoyed and down right angry. My safety was being compromised because I couldn't even see in front of me as I tried to walk because the swarm so so think. Then another shift occurred. 

“We don’t see things as they are. We see them as we are.”

— Mary O' Malley

I had another one of those contradictions take place and this one was a full on epiphany! I discovered that those dear unfortunate folks who I am trying to rescue or escape are the ones who end up saving me. I wish I could remember the bead seller's name. ! I went from pushing him away to a full on embrace. In the day I carried no dollars or rupees.. The ally tour after the sunrise boat ride was intense! Think roller coaster ride but w/ flying real moneys, sacred spirit shaman shivites, and the most mystical of ancient temple decor. As I walked through the back allies trying to keep up w/ my group the bead seller dude ended up helping me to miss the land mines of cow dung, dodge a raging motorcyclist, and cross the scariest, busiest street I have ever seen. Thank you special, life changing dude. He wouldn't even take money as a gift once I found some spare change in a pocket. What was most impressive is as we left the city he promised to catch up w/ me later that night. I could not fathom in a million years how I would ever come across him again but there he was that night after I turned the corner.

More to come for the Sunset Pooja_City of Light Sunset Version. 

Balancing the Doshas for Winter

Ayurvedic Science states the every living thing is composed of 5 fundamental elements, earth, water, air, fire, and space.  They come in unique proportions within each individual which determine features including skin type, personality, mental tendencies, and physical stature. These element combinations give rise to 3 principal forces called doshas and include: Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

The doshas are not physical by any Western understanding. They are patterns of intelligence that exist in the gap between mind and matter. The properties of the elements are what one might guess. Space for example is open. Air is light, cool, and moving. Fire is hot, mobile, and quick. Water is soft, moist, and fluid. Earth is soft, damp, and cold. The meaning of the word dosha means impurity, because our being no longer pure consciousness in our biological state but a dilution of it.

Vata: The essence of Vata is prana, the life pulse, and moving force (movement). Air and space combined to form the force of Vata which is responsible for all movement in the body and it governs mainly all nervous functions. There are 80 kinds of possible disturbances due to Vata. Pain, stiffness, paralysis, hypertension, heart disease – all these are caused by Vata.

Pitta: The essence of Pitta is tejas, the transformative radiant energy (metabolism). Pitta Fire and water combine to form the force of Pitta. Pitta governs mainly enzymes and hormones. Pitta is also responsible for digestion, pigmentation, body temperature, hunger, thirst, sight, courage etc. There are 40 kinds of possible disturbances due to Pitta. Burning sensations, excessive body temperature, blue moles, jaundice, and pharyngitis are examples of disorders caused by Pitta.

Kappa: The essence of Kapha is ojas, the cohesive force. Water and earth combine to form the force of Kapha(structure). Kapha regulates the other two. Kapha is responsible for the connections of joints, the solid nature of the body and its sustenance, sexual power, strength, patience etc. Among the 20 possible disturbances due to Kapha are anorexia nervosa, laziness, mucus expectoration, hardening of vessels, obesity, suppression of digestive power, etc.

In Ayurveda, we not only recognize these forces but we also learn to harness them and develop an optimum wellness lifestyle program that balances the three doshas. In the Vedic system Ayurvedic physicians are trained in the subtle detection of a person's dominant doshas through pulse diagnosis which includes examination of fingernails, tongue, lips, eyes, face, among other attributes. Take the Dosha quiz to find out your mind-body state and explore tools to help get back in balance. 

Balancing the Doshas for Winter

 When doshas are in balance the individual is disease free and when in imbalance – disease begins to grow. In winter months for example, it is easy to experience this elemental imbalance due to many parts of the world being cold with less daylight. Don't you have those days where you want to stay wrapped in warm blankets, sipping on hot tea watching a movie or reading versus taking a chilling hike while sipping on an iced drink. During this time it is helpful to find balance, and steer clear of disease by warming Vata.

Warming Vata: The Vata dosha is the essence of prana, life-force, and movement. Due to the cold, chilling air and dark days during the winter months, it is common to become stiff and expense more pain due to less movement and exercise. Even worse there are around 80 other disturbances due to an imbalance of vata to include nervous disfunction, and heart disease. Here are some ways to warm and balance your Vata during these cold months:

• A daily yoga practice is an instant ticket to more vitality and radiance through the colder months. It's funny to think so many that haven't tried yoga have a misconception of it being "too easy" or not enough "cardio". In contrast there are a vast number of yoga disciplines that are beyond challenging while offering cardio, core, and flexibility. Ashtanga is my favorite rigorous, mobilizing type of yoga flowing from pose to pose and eventually levitating (for some). 

• A mantra practice, like yoga really works the breath, stimulating prana, or that core life force. Manra's also contain seed syllables which are powerful creation vibrations w/ manifesting possibility.  "Shreem Brzee" is an easy one to get going. Try chanting it 108 times a day and while balancing your Vata for building up heat and energy in your core you might just get surprised by random abundance form the universe. I used to chant along to videos to keep count until I discovered mala beads to keep track. There are also mantra apps available as well. 

• Sip on a hot beverage that includes a warming spice such as ginger, black pepper, or cinnamon. (My current favorite is the Portland based restaurant, Bollywood Theater's house made masala chai which has just been made available to purchase retail to enjoy at home. It's the closest, traditional tasting Indian chai I have found and it is beautiful, botanical, and spicy! The photo below shows the smaller unit for $10 but I just upgraded to the $45 unit because I am so obsessed! http://www.bollywoodtheaterpdx.com

• Include a self care ritual like an Abhyanga practice which is massage of Ayurveda where warm oils are selected to bring balance, feeding the skin and the body nutrition in the form of quality, vital-giving oils. I enjoy a cassis and vetiver essential oil blend diluted in coconut oil massaged into my shoulders and limbs. This practice really gets the juices flowing while managing those occasional aches and pains due to seasonal discomfort. Shop essential oils at mydoterra.com/elegantsavage or contact me for a free essential oil consultation to gain a better understanding of what oils may be good to try based on your lifestyle.

• Elegant Savage also offers an invigorating botanical skin care product to really warm your soul called the Mystic Mud Mask. It is supercharged with warming Lemongrass Essential Oil and the grounding Sandalwood oil w/ turmeric to make you glow and is currently 20% off. http://www.elegantsavage.com/savage-goods/mystic-mud

Namaste!

Mystic Mud Mask

Have you ever felt so happy you thought your body was turning into light, or maybe you have always wanted to simply glow like a saint? Well now you can with this DIY Mystic Mud Mask recipe inspired from afar. What a better way to ring in the new year with some tender, loving, self care!

This beauty ritual explores the sourcing of (edible) ingredients from India. Sandalwood essential oil for example is acquired from steam distillation of the wood from the Sandalwood tree. It has a main chemical component, Alpha santalol which gives provides therapeutic qualities that promotes healthy, smooth skin and can reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles and blemishes. Both the wood and the oil have been valued for centuries and documented through history for many helpful applications.

It's a good ideafor safety reasons to really know the ethical practices of your essential oil company by evaluating many factors beyond the label. There are no labeling laws so any essential oil on the shelf can be labeled as "Pure" even when the oil is far from it. Synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or cancer culprits like harsh solvents are commonly used to cut or extend the quantity of oil.

Even from just smelling the aroma we can disrupt hormones affecting the adrenals,  sexual function, mood, neurological, and auto-immune health. On the other hand, working w/ a  Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oil can assist in balancing these functions, supporting the body /mind to greater health. Many of my favorite oil brand's essential oils are even safe for internal use. A drop of Sandalwood on the tongue is pure heaven!

Here is a list of what is needed. Mixing together in a small bowl:

• 1/4 cup garbonzo flour
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 tablespoon of almond oil
• 3 drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil
• 1 drop of Lemongrass Essential Oil 

1-3 tablespoons of water (as needed) to turn mix into a paste.

* (Use turmeric with caution because it is a natural dye that may cause staining)

Apply for 10 min and rinse. Store remainder in fridge, and use the remaining cold mixture for an even more invigorating experience within 3 days.

One of the best parts of the mud mask ritual besides soft, glowing skin is using those ten minutes to do something else to elevate your mind or soul. Meditation or another Indian inspired oral care technique called oil pulling feels great. I like to also chant various matras. Sound Science isn't a religious thing or hippy thing but ancient technology that has been around for thousands of years but kept secret because the effects are so powerful. Through the power of the mind and also sound/or vibration we can create, manifest, and change our reality. Here are a few to start with and the meaning behind them:

OM is the primordial sound that created all of the galaxies.  Life originated from OM.  When you say or think OM, you are at one with all of the universes in space.

AIM is the mantra for consciousness, life and creation

So Happy New Year to all and love yourself more than ever by whipping up a mystic mud mask. Happy chanting!